PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – In a landmark victory for the small Caribbean nation, Trinidad and Tobago’s government has celebrated its successful election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, a win officials frame as a transformative step to amplify the country’s influence in global diplomatic circles.
Elected during a vote of the United Nations General Assembly, the Caribbean Community (Caricom) member will hold the two-year post from 2027 through 2028. Out of votes cast, Trinidad and Tobago earned 181 endorsements, a total that easily cleared the mandatory two-thirds majority threshold required to claim the seat. As the sole candidate put forward by the Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC), the nation faced no competing challengers for the opening, and will officially take up its responsibilities on January 1, 2027.
In an official statement released Wednesday, the Ministry of Foreign and Caricom Affairs emphasized that the Security Council seat will create expanded opportunities for Trinidad and Tobago to contribute meaningfully to high-stakes global conversations spanning peacebuilding, international security, sustainable development, and cross-border cooperation. Beyond bolstering the country’s participation in global governance, the ministry noted the appointment will strengthen Trinidad and Tobago’s diplomatic standing, boost its clout among the international community, and unlock new pathways to build strategic partnerships and deepen engagement with nations across the globe.
This is not Trinidad and Tobago’s first turn at the Security Council table: the country previously held a non-permanent seat for the 1985–1986 term. Notably, the government confirmed that the nation earned the full support of all five permanent members of the Security Council – the United States, United Kingdom, France, China, and Russia – in its campaign.
Trinidad and Tobago is the latest Caricom nation to claim a spot on the powerful UN body. The most recent previous holder from the regional bloc was St. Vincent and the Grenadines, which served the 2020–2021 term from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2021.